Cuphea plant named &#39;Wescufloso&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  cuphea  plant having violet colored flowers.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/499,931, filed Feb. 7, 2017, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Botanical classification: Cuphea hyssopifolia.

Varietal denomination: ‘Wescufloso’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of cupheaplant known by the varietal name ‘Wescufloso’. The new variety wasdiscovered in August of 2014 in Worms, Germany as the result of aplanned breeding program with the purposes of providing cuphea plantswith improved growing characteristics and early development. The newvariety is the result of a mutation of a Cuphea hyssopifolia varietyfrom the breeder's proprietary collected referred to as UNGCU16(unpatented). The new variety is similar to UNGCU16 in flower color, butexhibits earlier development, a more compact habit, and larger flowersthan UNGCU16. The first asexual reproduction of the new variety wasconducted by cuttings in August of 2014 in Worms, Germany. ‘Wescufloso’has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain itsdistinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successivepropagations. The present invention has not been evaluated under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary withvariations in environment without a change in the genotype of the plant.

When ‘Wescufloso’ is compared to Cuphea hyssopifolia ‘Wecuflodia’ (U.S.Plant patent application Ser. No. __/___,___ filed on Feb. 7, 2018), thevarieties are similar in plant form, branching habit, and leaf color.However, the varieties differ in flower color (‘Wescullodia’ hasred-purple colored flowers) and size, as well as anther number.

The following traits distinguish ‘Wescufloso’ as a new and distinctcultivar from other cuphea varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   1. Flower size;    -   2. Flowering period;    -   3. Flower color; and    -   4. Growth habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing taken at approximately 11 monthsof age illustrates the new variety, with the colors being as nearly trueas is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 illustrates an entire flowering plant of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew variety at approximately 11 months of age. The data which definesthese characteristics was collected indoors in Südlohn-Oeding, Germanyunder inflorescent light in the Winter. Plants of the new variety weregrown in the Winter in Germany in a glass greenhouse under artificiallight levels of 3,000 lx for 16 hours per day in 17.8 cm pots. Colorreferences are primarily to the 2001 R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London.

-   Plant:    -   -   Number of days to initiate roots.—About 20 days at an            average of 20° C.        -   Number of days to develop roots.—About 30 days at an average            of 20° C.        -   Time to produce a finished, flowered plant from a rooted            cutting.—About 12 to 16 weeks in a 12 cm container.        -   Rooting habit.—Fibrous.        -   Overall plant shape.—Upright, mounded, and symmetrical.        -   Plant height.—Approximately 25 cm.        -   Plant diameter.—Approximately 38 cm.        -   Plant vigor.—Moderate.        -   Branching.—Habit: Moderate basal branching. Lateral            branches: Length: 9 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm. Internode length:            1.2 cm. Texture: Slightly rough with pubescence present.            Color: 152A.        -   Foliage.—Appearance: Alternate. Number of leaves per branch:            About 20, with indeterminate growth. Shape: Lanceolate.            Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Length: 3.8 cm.            Width: 1.0 cm. Texture: Smooth. Aspect: Flat. Color: Young            leaves: Upper surface: 137B. Lower surface: 146B. Mature            leaves: Upper surface: 139A. Lower surface: 147B. Veins:            Venation type: Pinnate. Color: One shade lighter than leaf            color of respective maturity and surface. Petiole: Length:            0.2 cm. Diameter: Less than 0.1 cm. Color: 146B.-   Flowers:    -   -   Buds (described right before color is visible petals not            visible).—        -   Shape.—Oblong.        -   Diameter.—0.15 cm.        -   Length.—0.4 cm.        -   Color.—146B.        -   Flower.—Natural flowering season: From April until            October/frost in Germany. Flower type and habit: Single and            continuous. Number of flowers per lateral branch: From 1 to            3 at a time, with indeterminate growth. Flower longevity: 2            to 5 days on the plant. Lastingness of a cut flower: Not            applicable. Diameter: 1.5 cm. Height: 1.2 cm. Throat            diameter: 0.2 cm.        -   Corolla.—Form: Actinomorphic and zygomorphic. Appearance:            Smooth and crinkled. Petals/lobes: Number per flower: 6.            Length: 0.8 cm. Width: 0.4 cm. Shape: Elliptic and fused            with sepals. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Fused with sepals. Margin:            Entire. Aspect: Flat and slightly incurved. Texture (both            surfaces): Smooth and crinkled. Color: Upper surface (when            opening): 84B. Lower surface (when opening): 84B. Upper            surface (fully opened): 84B. Lower surface (fully opened):            84B. Throat: Texture: Smooth, with pubescence present at the            upper end. Color: Greenish-cream. Tube color: N144B.        -   Calyx.—Form: Fused. Length: 0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm.            Sepals: Fused to tube, having a smooth texture and color of            N144D.        -   Reproductive organs.—        -   Stamens.—Number (per flower): About 10. Filament: Length:            Less than 0.5 cm. Anthers: Shape: Dorsifixed. Length: About            0.1 cm. Color: Yellow. Pollen: Color: Yellow. Amount            (generally): Moderate to high.        -   Pistils.—Length: 0.3 cm. Style: Length: 0.3 cm. Color:            White. Stigma: Shape: Thin. Color: White.-   General:    -   -   Disease/pest resistance or susceptibility.—None observed.        -   Cold temperature tolerance.—Intolerant to frost.        -   Fragrance.—None observed.        -   Seed production.—Minimal.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of cuphea plant, as is hereinillustrated and described.